Freckles: Why They Appear & What to Do

Dr. Leonardo Rotolo
Clinical review: Dr. Leonardo Rotolo Dermatologist CRM 1004115-RJ
Created by: Jillian Kinton-Vieira Registered Nurse
Key points
  • See a dermatologist if freckles change in size, shape, or color.
  • Stop creams if they cause burning, redness, or irritation.
  • Seek care if skin blisters, bleeds, or cold sores appear after treatment.

Freckles, scientifically called ephelides, are small reddish, tan, or brown spots caused by excess melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color.

They usually appear on areas of the body that get more sun exposure, such as the face, chest, or arms. In many cases, freckles are linked to inherited traits, especially in people with red hair or fair skin.

They can also develop after too much sun exposure or after sunburn, and they often look darker during the summer. Although freckles are harmless and do not cause health problems, they can be a cosmetic concern.

smiling woman with face cream on her finger

What causes freckles?

Freckles can develop after too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays or after a sunburn, which causes the skin to produce extra melanin. They may appear as reddish, tan, or light to dark brown spots, especially on the face, neck, chest, back, and arms.

Freckles usually become darker during the summer and tend to fade during the winter. They are generally about 1 to 2 millimeters in size and have irregular but well-defined edges.

Some factors can increase the likelihood of developing freckles, especially genetics. They are more common in people with fair skin, people who are very sensitive to the sun, and people with red hair, and they usually start to appear in childhood after sun exposure.

How to get rid of freckles

The best way to remove or lighten freckles on the face or any other area of the skin is to see a dermatologist. Although there are different treatment options, they need to be matched to the person’s skin type.

A dermatologist may recommend one of the following treatments:

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen helps keep skin spots from getting darker and also helps prevent new freckles from appearing. It should be used every day, even on cloudy days, and applied at least 15 minutes before leaving home.

It should also be reapplied every two hours and immediately after sweating or doing physical activities, such as swimming or water aerobics.

Ideally, a dermatologist should be consulted to recommend the best type of sunscreen for a person’s skin type. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen used for daily protection should offer broad-spectrum coverage and have an SPF of 30 or higher. 

It is also important to avoid too much sun exposure in general, since UV rays can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Also recommended: Signs of Skin Cancer (Melanoma & Nonmelanoma) tuasaude.com/en/signs-of-skin-cancer

2. Lightening creams

Lightening creams with hydroquinone or azelaic acid may help lighten the skin over several months of use because they help reduce melanin production and fade dark spots.

These creams should always be used with guidance from a dermatologist because they can cause inflammation, a burning sensation, allergic reactions, or dry skin.

They should also not be used by children younger than 12 or by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

3. Retinoid creams

Retinoid creams with tretinoin are often recommended by dermatologists to be used together with lightening creams to reduce the appearance of freckles and make them lighter. They may also help prevent new freckles from forming.

These creams can cause side effects such as redness, peeling, increased sensitivity, or skin irritation, and they should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

4. Laser

Laser treatment for freckles is done in a dermatologist’s office using pulsed light applied directly to the freckles, which can help lighten the dark spots on the skin.

This treatment usually requires more than one session to achieve the expected results.

Laser treatment may cause skin irritation, itching, redness, or peeling.

When used near the lips, it may also trigger cold sores in people with a history of herpes simplex virus infection. In these cases, the dermatologist may recommend taking an antiviral medication before treatment begins.

5. Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a treatment performed by a dermatologist in the office using liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the darker skin cells that are causing the freckles.

This type of treatment is safe, but it can cause side effects such as bleeding in the treated area or blistering.

In general, cryosurgery does not require anesthesia, does not leave a scar, and has a quick recovery time.

6. Chemical peel

A chemical peel is performed by a dermatologist using chemical solutions, such as glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid, which penetrate damaged layers of the skin and help lighten freckles.

This type of treatment can cause redness, swelling, irritation, peeling, or scab formation on the skin, and the dermatologist may recommend creams that help the skin heal.

Update History
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References
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